Alarm clock



Feb. 24, 1925. 1,527,276

f R. S. SARVER ALARM CLOCK Filed Jan. l2, 1924 3 Shasta-Sheet' 1 Feb. 24, 1925. 1,527,256.

R. S. SARVER ALARM CLOCK Feb. 24, 1925.

R. S. SARVER ALARI CLOCK Filed Jan. 12, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 u.. N a

IFM I fawn/2% Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES RICHARD S. SARVER, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ALASRM CLOCK.

Application filed January 12, 1924. Serial No. 685,769.

To all whom tmag/ concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD S. SARvnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alarm Clocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in alarm clocks, and has for its object, in general, the provision of means to assure the proper manipulation and operation of the alarm device under various condition of the time and alarm mechanisms of said clock.

A particular object of the invention is to provide means for automatically locking the alarm setting and 'timing mechanism and prevent changing or setting thereof while the alarm lever is in its off position with the alarm shut off, and to pro` vide means for releasing` said locking means when said lever is returned to its on position.

Another object is to provide means for automatically locking the winding mechanism of the main spring while the alarm lever is in its off position, and means for releasing said locking means when the alarm lever is turned to its on7 position.

And another object is to provide means for automatically locking the winding mechanism of the main spring when the alarm spring is partly run down, and means for releasing said locking means when the alarm spring is substantially wound up.

And a further object is to provide means for automatically actuating the alarm mechanism to induce ringing of the alarm when the main spring is substantially run down, and whether the mechanism is in its on or oli position.

These objects and other objects and advantages are attained with the use of my invention, as will become apparent from'the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. l is an outer rear elevation of an alarm clock, to the inner mechanism of which my inventionis applied;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of said clock with the rear cover removed, showing` the alarm lever in its off aosition andY as aiA consequence the winding mechanism of the main spring locked and the alarm setting mechanism likewise locked;

Fig. 3,` shows thev alarnrspring partly run down and the winding mechanism of the main spring locked as a consequence thereof, although the alarm vlever is in its on position and the alarm setting mechaI nism is released;

Fig. 4 shows the alarml lever in off po` sition, similarly asin Fig. 2, with the alarm setting mechanism and the main spring winding mechanism locked, and in addition shows the main spring run down and as a consequence the spring arm which locks and releases the alarm operating mechanism has been forced to its release position thereby permitting the alarm'to operate, Vas further shown in Fig. 6, invdotted lines;

Fig. 5 isa detailed section on line 5-5 of F ig. 6, showing the gear means for actuating the springl arm which locks and releases the alarm operating mechanism:

Fig. 6 is a cross section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing in full lines the spring arm and the alarm operating mechanism in shutoff position, similarly as in Fig. 2,l and showingv in dotted lines said spring arm and alarm operating mechanism in the release position for effecting ringing of the alarm, as a consequence of the 'run-down main spring; i v

F ig. 7 is a detailed section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a detailed 8 8 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 9 is a detailed section taken on Vline 9 9 of Fig. 8.

In the drawings I have shown my invention applied to an alarm clock of wellknown construction, which has a casing la with a removable cover l5 and a frame 16 for mounting the various mechanisms of the clock in the casing. Said mechanism includes as usual an alarm setting shaft 17 with a knob 18; also an alarm spring 19 on a winding shaft 2O having a handle 2l, and the usual intermediate gearings which drive the escapcment pa'wl 22 for operating the shaft 23 with the arm 24 and hammer 25 ofthe alarm; said clock also containing a main spring 2G on a winding shaft 27 carrying a handle 2S and a gear 29 which actuates the usual sets of gears and the time shaft for operating the hour and minute hands (not shown).

In connection with the above, type of alarm clock I have illustrated the preferred form of construction foi" carrying my invention into effect, and this construction section taken on line comprises means for automatically locking the alarm setting and timing mechanism while the alarm lever is in its off position,

and also means foi releasing said lockingl means by the moving of said lever t-o its on? position. This means includes a ratchetV gear 32 fastened on the alarm setting shaft 17, and a pawl 33 pivoted on frame 16, which is automatically pressed against said gear by an arm of a spring 34 to Vhold said shaft 17 locked while the alarm lever is in its off position, said spring 17 being mounted on a supporting post of the frame.l The means for releasing saidl locking means includes a combination alarm and locking lever 35 which takes the place of the usual alarm lever, and is pivoted at 36 on frame 16, and provided with an operating finger 35 extending through the gearV 32 when lever 35 is moved to usual slot in cover 15 to move the lever to on and off position. An arm 38 extends from said lever and with its downturned end 39 engages pawl 33 tov release it from Non?? position. This construction assures Jthe moving of the alarm lever 35` to on position before the alarm settingvand timing mechanism associated withshaft 17 can be moved or set.

Means is provided for automatically locking the winding mechanism of the ymain spring while the alarm lever is in its offI position, and for releasing` said locking.

means for moving the lever to on7 position. The automatic locking means includesV a ratchet gear 40 fastened on main spring shaft 27, and a paWl 41 pivoted on frame 16 and being automatically pressed against said gear by a second arm 42 of spring' 34, to hold said gear and shaft stationary and prevent winding of the main spring. The releasing means includes an arm 43 on the inner end of lever35, which engages a lu g 44 yon pawl 41 to release said pawl from the ratchet and permit the turning of theY shaft 27 and thereby the winding of the main spring 26 when the alarm lever 35 is moved to"on77 position. This'construction assures that the alarm'lever will be turned to"on position before the main spring can be wound, and thus remedies the frequent trouble of Winding up the cloclr but forgetting to turn on thealarm before retiring.

l, furthermore, provide means for automatically locking-'the Winding mechanism of the main spring to prevent winding thereof when the alarm spring is partly run down. This means includes a'pinion 45 fastened on the winding shaft 2O df the alarm spring,

and a gear 46 driven thereby; also a lever 47 pivoted on frame 16 at 48 and having a pawl 49, preferably integral therewith, for engaging ratchet 40 on shaft 27; a spring 56 engaging a lug 51 on said lever to automatically retain the pawl in locking'posi-` tion on lthe ratchet, and to prevent winding the main spring while the alarm spring is partly run down, as best sho-wn in Fig. 3. A pin 52 on gear 46 travels with said gear when the alarm spring 19 and shaft 20 inove-saidin engaging a curved art 53 7 C) H H partly run down, thereby leaving the alarm` mechanism substantially inoperative, as the party retires.

Means is also provided for operating the alarm mechanism when the main spring is substantially run down, and the alarm mechanisin will be rendered operative by said means Whether the alarmV lever andfsetting mechanism is in its on7 Vposition or in its off position. This means includes a rod 57 bent transversely, then forwardly and downwardly from shaft 23 and being normally held stationary by having its free end 57 engaged by the bentend 58 of a. spring arm 59 which is fastened on the Vforward part 16 of frame 16, as best shown in Fig. 9, to prevent operation of the alarm hammer 25. Said spring arm 59 is arranged to normally assume the release position,l away from frame part 16, as shown in full lines in Fig. 9 and in dotted lines in Fig. 6,'

and when the alarm lever 35 is turned to on position (see also Figs. 3 and 8) and said spring arm is turned to locking position, as shown in dotted lines in Figl 9, and in full lines in Fig. 6, when said lever 35 Vis moved to 01T position, said spring arm being drawn toward the frame by means of toe 60 of shaft 61 which has a bevelled head 62 actuated by a cam portion 63 formed on lever 35; and said shaft is returned to release position by a spring 64 mounted on said shaft between -a collar 65 and the frame. When the alarm setting lever 35 is placed in on position, the shaft 61 is moved by spring 64 to the position shown in Figs. S and 9, permitting spring arm 59 to assume its normal'position, thereby freeing end oi of rod 57, as shown in Fig. 9, permitting the alarm to ring; provided the gear 66 on alarm setting shaft 17 has been rotated, by the usual running gears of the Vclock connected thereto, until its notch 67 registers with nger 17 on shaft 17 thereby permitting said gear todrop and alsorelease spring arm 59.

The particular means for operating the above *alarmV mechanism Wheatlae main spring is run down, and Whether the alarm lever 17 is in its on or its off position, includes a bell crank lever 68 fu crumed on the frame, which with its arm 69 engages and draws forward the spring arm 59 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. (i, thereby freeing spring finger 58 from end 57 of alarm rod 57, thus permitting the alarm to ring7 even though shaft 6l with its toe 60 and cam 62 have been turned backward to the locking position by cam C3 on lever 35 moved to its off position, as in dicated in Fig. 6. A link 70 connects lever 68 with one arm of a bell crank 7l fulcrumed on a corner post 72 of frame 16, the nut- 72 of said post acting as a stop for lever 47 the other arm 7 3 is engaged by an arm 74 extending forward from the paivl end of lever 47, said lever arm 74 and bell crank being actuated by a pin 75 on a gear 76 which is driven through an idler having a pinion 77 and attached gear 7S driven by a pinion 79 on main spring shaft 27. Thus when the main spring is istantially run doivn7 as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the main spring pinion 79 on shaft 27 Will have moved the idler gear and pinion 7 8 and 7 7, and gear 76 With its pin 75 to swing arm 74 with its lever 47 and paivl 49. thereby1 permitting partial Winding of the main spring, and the subsequent Winding of the alarm spring; and will also have moverL arm 73' of bell crank 72 with the link 7 0, and bell crank lever 68 and thereby the spring arm 58 to its release position thus releasing the alarm rod 57, and thereby setting the alarm mechanism in operation, and this is effected Whether the alarm lever and connections are in the on or the. off position.

lhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect. this is capable of variation and modilication Without departing from the spirit of the invention. I7 therefore, do not Wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth. but desire to avail myself of such .f'ariations an d modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an alarm clock having alarm setting mechanism and a shut-off lever, means for preventing the setting of said alarm While said lever is in shut-ofil position.

2. In an alarm clock having an alarm setting and timing mechanism and a. shut-olf leve 7 and mea-ns operated by said lever for locking the alarm setting mechanism While said lever is in its shutoff position.

3. In an alarm clock having alarm setting mechanism and a` shut-off lever, means for automatically lock'ng said setting mecha.- nisni, and means operated by said lever for releasing said locking mechanism when the lever is move to its on position.

4. In an alarm clock having an alarm setting shaft and a shut-offlever, spring presse-:Ll paivl and ratchet means connected to said shaft for automatically locking it While said lever is in its off position., and means on said lever for releasing said paivl when the lever is moved to its on position.

i In an alarm clock having a shut-off lever. mea-ns for locking the main spring Winding mechanism of said clock While said lever is in its shut-off position.

6. In an alarm clock having a shut-off lever, means connected with said lever for locsing the Winding mechanism of the main spring While the lever is in its oi'f position and for releasing said locking means While the. lever is in its on posit-ion.

7. In an alarm clock having a shut-off lever, means for automatically locking the main spring Winding nchanism While said lever is in its olf posit-ion. and means on aid lever to engage and release said locking means when said lever is moved to its on position.

S. In an ala-rm clock having a main spring` Winding shaft and a shut-off leve-r, spring pressed pawl and ratchet means connected vvith said shaft for automatically locking the same, and means on said lever for engaging and releasing said locking means ivhile thc lever is in its on position.

9. In an alarm clock having a main spring Winding` shaft and a shut-off lever. a ratchet on said shaft and a spring pressed paivl for engaging said ratchet to prevent Winding of the spring, while the said lever is in its olf position. and an arm on said lever to engage said pavil and release it from said ratchet- When the lever is turned to its on position.

l0. In an alarm clock ha ving a main 'ng Winding mechanism, alarm setting mechanism, and al shut-off lever; means for locking said Winning mechanism and setting mechanism, and means on said lever for releasing both of said locking means.

1l. In an alarm clock having main spring Winding mechanism and alarm setting mechanism; spring pressed mea-ns for automatically locking said Winding mechanism and setting mechanism, and an alarm shut-olf lever having means thereon for enga ging and releasing both of said locking means. i

l2. In an alarm clock having a main spring Winding shaft and an alarmrsetting shaft; paivl and ratchet means on each of said shafts and actuated by a spring for automatically locking said shaft-s and a` combination lever acting as an alarm shut-off lever and having arms for engaging and releasing said locking` mechanisms when said leve is turned to its on position.

lil. In a... alarm clock having an alarm spring and a main spring and Winding mech- 15. ln an ala in clock havinfr an alarm Vspring and main spring with'a win-ding shaft, Va leve with means for engaging means on said shaft to prevent winding of the main spring, and means actuated by q' un Vthe alarmrspring for moving said lever to permit winding of the main spring.

1G. ln an alarm clock having an alarm spring and a main spring and a winding shaft for each spring, a member on the main spring shaft, means with an' arm for automatically engaging said member to loci said main spring shaft, and gear means cennected with the alarm spring shaft f or actuating said moans.

17. ln'an alarm clock having an alarm spring with shaft and a main spring witli'a shaft, a ratchet on the main spring shaft, a

spring presser, lever with a pawl arm to automatically engage said ratchet and lock its shaft in position, gear means connected with the alarm spring shaft and including an'element to actuate said lever and release it-s vpawlv from said ratchet when the alarm spring is substantially wound up.

18. ln an alarm clock having a main spring with a winding shaft and an alarm spring with a shut-of:1 lever, a ratchet on the Ymain spring shaft, spring pressed means for automatically engaging and locking said ratchet when said lever is in off position, means automatically engaging and locking said ratchet and its shaft when the alarm vis partly run down, means actuated by the alarm lever when moved to its on position for releasing one of said ratchet engaging means and means actuated by the winding of said alarm spring for releasing ythe other ofl said ratchet engaging means.

19. In `an alarm clock having a main spring and alarmV ringing mechanism with setting means, means for retaining said alarm ringing mechanism inoperative, means Y for normally releasing said retaining means alarm, means including a bell crank lever for releasing said shut oft means,pand means actuated by the main spring when it is substantially run down for operating said lever and arm to effect ringing of the alarm.

21. ln an alarm clock having a main spring and an alarm mechanism with a lever and means for Yshutting off said alarm, means for releasing said shut-off means when said lever is in the shut-olf position, andv means actuated by the main spring when it is substantially rundown for operating said releasing means to effect ringing of the alarm. i i

22. ln an alarm clock, alarm ringing means, means for holding said alarm ringing means inoperative, a main spring shaft and gear means connected therewith. and

link and lever means actuated bysaid gear 2st. ln an alarm clock,` alarm ringing means, a spring arm, an alarm lever with means for moving said spring arm to shut olf said ringing means, a member for withdrawing said spring arni to permit operanV tion of said ringing means, a mainl spring shaft, and means actuated by said main Vspring shaft for operating said member when the main spring is substantially run down for releasing said alarm ringing means to effect ringing thereof while the alarm lever is in shut-off position.

In an alarm clock, alarm ringing means, a spring arm, an alarm lever with means for moving said spring arm to retain said ringing means inoperative, a bell crank lever for withdrawing said spring arm to effect operation of said ringing means, a main spring shaft with a pinion, gear means actuated by said pinion, a bell crank lever connected to the first said bell crank lever,

and means on-said gear means for operating said bell crank levers to withdraw said spring ai'in from the ringing means.

26. ln an 'alarm clock having a main spring with a shaft and an alarm mechanism with ringing means and setting means therefor, means for locking said main spring, means for looking said alarm ringing means, means for locking said alarm setting means, and a shut-off lever Vwith means thereon for simultaneously releasing all of ysaid locking means.

llO

27. ln an alarm eloelr havinga main spring With a sha'i't and an alarm meehan'zm with ringing means and time setting imans with a shaft: means for automatically loes' ing said main spring shaft, means t'or automatieallg.v locking said alarm setting shatr` means for locking said alarm ringing means, and a Combination shut-oil lever with means thereon lor simnltaneeuslgvv releasing all ot said locking means when said lever is turned to its oli position.

28. in alarm clock comprising in cembination, an alarm mechanism with ringing means, a spring arm and a member enga@- ing it to prevent operation ot said ring' means, alarm setting' means vvith a spring pressed paivl and ratchet means vfor automatically locking said shat't to prevent Winding ot said alarm shaft.. a main spring' with a Winding shaft, spring pressed paml and ratchet means tor locking said main spring shat't te prevent Winding the main spring, and a combination shut-off lever having cam means to aetuate said member and spring arm tor locking and unlocking said ringing means and said lever having rms 'for sin'iultaneonsly releasing beth ot said shaft locking means when said lever is turned to its on position.

29. An alarm clock comprising in Combination, an alarm mechanism with ringing means, a spring arm, an alarm lever' With means for moving` said spring arm to sluitotl' said ringing means7 a member ter engaging and withdrawing said spring arm to permit operation ot said ringing means, a main spring with a shaft, an alarm spring, means including a paivl member ter locking sait main spring and shaft, means actuated by said alarm spring for releasing said pawl snatt,V

member when said alarm spring is 'Wennd up, an arm en said pawl member, and means actuated by said main spring tor engaging said arm and therewith releasing said pawl from the main spring and shat't and also 'etuating said member to move said spring arm and render lthe ringing means etl'eetive when the main spring is substantiallyv run down.

30. fin alarm eloek Comprising in combi.- nation, an alarm mechanism with a spring and ringing n eans actuated thereby, a spring arm, an alarm lever with means forv moving said spring arm to shut all said ringing means, a crank member tor engaging and withdrawing said spring arm to permit operation ot said ringing means, a bell crank lever connect-ed therewith, a main spring With a shaft, means including a lever and pawl tor leaking said main spring shaft When the alarm spring is partly run down, means actuated by said alarm spring tor releasing said lever and pawl when said alarm spring is Wound up, an arm on said pawl7 and gear means vvith a pin driven by said main spring and shaft tor engaging and moving said arm and thereby releasing said paivl trein the main spring shaft, said arm also engaging and moving said bell Crank lever to Withdraw said Crank member to release said ringing means when the main spring is substantiallyT run down.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tivo subscribing Witnesses.

RUHARD S. SAR-VER. lVitnesses JOSHUA R. H. Pe'rrs, MARGARET Amin. 

